7 th SPC HOF meeting

1. 7th SPC HOF meeting Oceanic Fisheries Programme – Strategic Plan Outcomes

2. Oceanic Fisheries Programme OFP Goal (FAME Strategic Plan 2010-2013) “Fisheries exploiting the region’s resources of tuna, billfish and related species are managed for economic and ecological sustainability using the best available scientific information”

4. Oceanic Fisheries Programme • Client-based scientific service delivery • SPC members • FFA and sub-regional groups • WCPFC • Capacity building a major cross-cutting theme • 2011 working budget approximately 8.2 million CFP units ~ AUD/USD 9 million

5. 2011 Funding

6. Stock Assessment & Modelling

7. Result areas Result 1.1: Regional oceanic fisheries management policy and decision-making by WCPFC are informed by the best science-based stock assessments and advice Result 1.2: FFA’s oceanic fisheries management initiatives are supported by the best science-based stock assessments and advice

8. Result areas Result 1.3: National tuna oceanic fisheries policy and decision-making are informed by the best science-based stock assessments and advice Result 1.4: Enhanced capacity of SPC members to interpret stock assessment information and advice

9. Section structure • Result 1.1 WCPFC: • Simon Hoyle, Nick Davies, and Shelley Clarke (WCPFC) • Result 1.2: FFA • Graham Pilling (AusAID), and Bioeconomic modeller (SciCOFISH) • Result 1.3: National • Don Bromhead (Programme) and Ashley Williams (SciCOFISH) • Other: • Shelton Harley (Programme) • Fabrice Bouyé (Scifish / SciCOFISH)

10. Result 1.1 WCPFC Outputs 2010 • Stock assessments (and associated development work) for: • Bigeye • Skipjack • Specific management advice: • Historical and future status against reference points • Projections for tropical tunas to assist CMM development • Effectiveness of current measures, e.g. FAD closure • Sharks • Development of a three year research plan

11. WCPO Tuna Fisheries 2009 catches of 2,460,931 mt (highest recorded) Purse seine catches of 1,886,548 mt (77% of total and highest recorded) Skipjack: 1,783,986 mt (record); Yellowfin 433,275 mt (30% down); Bigeye tuna: 118,023 mt (lowest since 2001); Albacore: 125,647mt (2nd highest, SP highest)

12. WCPO Tuna Stocks • Bigeye tuna – overfishing is occurring and nearing overfished • South Pacific albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna – neither overfished nor is overfishing occuring • All four stocks at or near their lowest observed biomass level

13. Result 1.1: WCPFC activities in2011 • Stock assessments (and associated development work) for: • Bigeye • Skipjack • South Pacific albacore • Yellowfin • Specific management advice: • Reference points • Projections for tropical tunas to assist CMM development • Effectiveness of current measures, e.g. FAD closure • Sharks • Indicator analysis • Approach to nominate key shark species • Progress towards a silky shark assessment • TUMAS

14. What is TUMAS? TUna MAnagement Simulator Allows users to evaluate potential management options for bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas based on the real models and data used to assess the tuna stocks Funded by the Pelagic Fisheries Research Program (PFRP) in Hawaii. http://www.tumas-project.org/

15. Result 1.1: WCPFC Challenges Four stock assessments in a short time period Timely submission of data from non-SPC members Timely submission of observer data by SPC members

16. Result 1.2: FFA outputs in 2010 • FFA level: • Analysis of management options • Support USMLT • PNA level: • Considerable input to support LL-VDS development • Input to MSC certification as required • Sub-committee for South Pacific Tuna and Billfish (SC-SPTBF): • Albacore CPUE • Range contraction • Characterisation of southern fisheries for albacore, striped marlin, and swordfish

17. PNA – LL-VDS

18. SC-SPTBF – Range contraction Yellowfin tuna: 1960s – 2000s Present in both periods ‘Gone’ in 2000s ‘Appeared’ in 2000s Bigeye tuna: 1960s – 2000s

19. Result 1.2: FFA activities in 2011 • FFA level: • Support of Bioeconomic analysis of management options • USMLT • PNA level: • Continued support of LL-VDS (with DM assistance) • Characterisation of the longline fishery • Input to MSC certification as required • SC-SPTBF (and likely TVM): • Albacore CPUE • Oceanographic influences • Range contraction • Support development of a longline management system

20. Result 1.3: National outputs in 2010 • NTFSRs completed for: • Tokelau and Samoa • NTFSRs progressed for: • Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands, and Solomon Islands • Attendance at national-level fisheries meetings in Tokelau • Ad-hoc advice for Solomon Islands to support licensing negotiations • Initiated development of the country website

21. Country-level web sites

22. Result 1.3: National activities for 2011 • NTFSRs to be completed shortly: • Tokelau, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Kiribati • Other NTFRSs scheduled for 2011 or overdue: • Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, American Samoa, CNMI, Fiji, and Guam • Input to tuna management plan developments in any of these countries • Issue-specific national reports (ISNRs – see WP3) • Ad-hoc requests

23. Issue-specific national reports A mechanism to provide more frequent country level analysis and advice on issues of general interest within the region Economies of scale – undertake the same analysis for multiple countries at the same time Better scientific insights – can examine patterns across multiple areas to gain a better understanding of overall processes

24. ISNR #1 Albacore CPUE .. progress

25. Result 1.3: National challenges Resources ...... Coordination with members [and FFA] to ensure that we are aware of when and where countries require technical support Making the switch from the “large” NTFSRs to the more streamlined versions supported by ISNRs and ad-hoc requests

26. Result 1.4: Capacity building outputs in 2010 Fifth annual Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) Continued development of workshop materials and online exercises Improved knowledge levels measured through ‘before’ and ‘after’ testing and greater participation in the work of the Scientific Committee Attachments in conjunction with NTFSRs for Tokelau and Cook Islands (early 2011)

27. Stock Assessment Workshops • 43 participants over the last two years • 21 participants in 2010 from 14 SPC members plus Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam • Four ‘graduates’ from 2009 instead attending the Pre-assessment working group

28. Result 1.4: Capacity building activities in 2011 Sixth annual Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) Continued development of workshop materials and online exercises, e.g. introducing TUMAS Attachments in conjunction with NTFSRs

29. Result 1.4 Capacity building challenges Finding a more secure funding source available to all participants …. e.g. WCPFC Supporting opportunities for further development of workshop ‘graduates’ Obtaining recognition of courses by an academic institution (UoW initiative)

30. Fisheries Monitoring Tim Lawson, Principal Fisheries Scientist Deirdre Brogan, Fisheries Monitoring Supervisor Peter Sharples, Observer Support and Development Coordinator Sifa Fukofuka, Observer Training and Support Officer Manasseh Avicks, Observer Training and Support Officer (North Pacific)

31. Result areas Result 2.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective data management services to support regional oceanic fisheries management Result 2.3: Enhanced national oceanic fishery monitoring and data management by SPC members to meet national and international obligations Result 2.4: Enhanced capacity of SPC members in fisheries monitoring, data management and data use

32. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2010 Paired spill and grab samples were collected on purse seiners, and the size selectivity bias of grab samplers was estimated from paired samples from 17 trips. The results were published in Working Paper SC6–ST–WP–2. Originally funded by WCPFC, but can also be considered under Result 2.3, Enhancing National Monitoring. MFCL catch data were adjusted with species compositions determined from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias. The adjusted data were used in the 2010 stock assessments. The methodology for estimating the catches of key shark species in the WCPFC Statistical Area using delta-lognormal models with splines was extensively refined. The results will be published in a SC7 working paper.

33. Spill sampling on a purse seiner in PNG (with Sifa, top left, and Peter, bottom right)

34. Length frequencies from spill and grab samples Size selectivity bias in grab samples Purse-seine species compositions determined from spill samples (left) and grab samples (right)

35. Blue Shark Thresher Sharks Mako Sharks Oceanic Whitetip Shark Silky Shark CPUE “Heat Maps” Effect of latitude and longitude on longline catch rates of key shark species determined from observer data

36. Result 2.1: WCPFC Services Activities in 2011 Continued collection of paired spill and grab samples on purse seiners. The goal is 30 more trips. But usually only two trips with paired sampling are taken per vessel and the arrangements take time, so this will continue through 2012. MFCL length data will be determined from grab samples corrected for selectivity bias and the results will be used in stock assessments. Catches of key shark species by longliners and purse seiners in the WCPFC Statistical Area will be estimated from observer data, using delta-lognormal models with splines.

37. Result 2.3: Enhanced Fishery Monitoring in SPC Members Activities in 2010 • Provided regional coordination of national fishery monitoring: • Funding provided for staff in French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Tuvalu, and for equipment in Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshalls, Nauru, Niue and Tuvalu • Duty travel by OFP staff to FSM, Kiribati, Nauru and Solomon Islands to review tuna fishery statistical systems • This activity is winding down with the conclusion of the GEF project. • Developed and enhanced national observer programmes • Competency based training (CBT) and other Pacific Island Regional Fisheries Observer (PIRFO) standards slowed due to untimely passing of consultant Simon Reid • Developed procedures for the auditing of national tuna fishery monitoring • Procedures drafted for auditing logsheet and port sampling data collection programmes and commenced for observer data

38. Result 2.3: Enhanced Fishery Monitoring in SPC Members Activities in 2011 Fisheries monitoring staff will be funded in French Polynesia and New Caledonia with SCIFISH funds carried over from 2010. Will continue to provided regional coordination of national fishery monitoring through provision of data collection forms and reviewing national tuna fishery statistical systems. Will develop and enhance national observer programmes through CBT and other PIRFO standards, particularly debriefing, with consultant Grant Carnie. Will finalise procedures for the auditing of logsheet and port sampling data collection programmes and further develop procedures for observer data.

39. Result 2.4: Enhanced Monitoring Capacity in SPC Members Activities in 2010 National Tuna Data Workshops were held in FSM, Kiribati, Nauru and Solomon Islands. A Debriefing Workshop was held (in collaboration with NMFS and WCPFC) in Cairns in July, followed by a Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop. Eight national and sub-regional observer training courses were held with 137 trainees from FSM (43), Kiribati (46), Marshall Islands (13), Nauru (2), Palau (2), Solomon Islands (15) and Vanuatu (16), and assistance was provided for 3 national courses conducted in PNG. Training was provided for 6 observer trainers from FSM (1), Kiribati (1), Marshall Islands (2) and Solomon Islands (2).

40. Port Vila Pohnpei Kavieng Suva

41. Result 2.4: Enhanced Monitoring Capacity in SPC Members Activities in 2011 National Tuna Data Workshops are planned for Fiji, Marshall Islands, Samoa and Tonga, and a Regional Artisanal Fisheries Data Workshop is being considered. A Debriefing Workshop is being held at SPC headquarters from February 28 to March 18. Nine national and sub-regional observer training courses will be held with trainees from Cook Islands, FSM, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu, and assistance will be provided for 3 national courses conducted in PNG. Training will be provided for observer trainers from FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, PNG and Solomon Islands.

42. A Plea to Members RegardingPre-Selection of Observer Trainees andGeneric Training Courses • Pre-Selection Tests, with SPC Assistance • Generic Courses, the Member’s responsibility • Fire Fighting at Sea • First Aid • Restricted Radio Operator • Safety at Sea

43. Data Management

44. OFP DATA MANAGEMENT SECTIONRESULT AREAS Result 2.1: WCPFC is provided with efficient and cost-effective data management services to support regional oceanic fisheries management Result 2.2: FFA’s oceanic fisheries management initiatives are supported by efficient and cost-effective data management services Result 2.3:Enhanced national oceanic fishery data management by SPC members to meet national and international obligations Result 2.4:Enhanced capacity of SPC members in data management and data use

45. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTSTAFF

46. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 2.1 – WCPFC Data Support2010 Highlights • WCPFC 2009 data compiled  WCPFC stock assessments • Continued improvements in timeliness and quality of data provided .. • WCPFC SC working papers… • Overview of the WCPO tuna fishery, 2009 • Scientific data available to the WCPFC (highlighting data gaps) • Estimates of Annual Catches in the WCPFC Statistical area • Changes to data available for WCPFC stock assessments • WCPFC Tuna Fishery Yearbook (2009) published – November 2010 • WCPFC public domain data (to 2009) generated – latest in Feb. 2011 • Provision of summary catch/effort tables for the evaluation of CMMs • Support for ROP (Regional Observer Programme) • WPEA OFM (Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam) • Significant improvements in data gaps …

47. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 2.1 – WCPFC Data Support2011 Work Plan • Continuation of standing commitments, including … • WCPFC Data compilation/management • SC/TCC papers • WCPFC Yearbook 2010 • WCPFC public domain data • Dissemination of WCFPC data • Technical advice to WPEA OFM • … ad hoc requests … • More resources and work to support ROP data management • Recruitment of Observer Data Manager, Audit officer and new data entry technicians • More comprehensive outputs for stock assessments and other WCPFC work

48. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 2.2 – FFA/PNA Data Support2010 Highlights • Provision of catch/effort data to FFA on a quarterly basis, with CES • Training in use of CES database query tool (December 2010) • Two papers provided for Annual US Treaty Consultation (March 2010) • Preliminary overview of WCPO purse seine fishery (2009) • US MLT observer data review (2009) • Data support for FFA projects/working groups • e.g. LL and PS VDS, MOW, TVM, SC-SPTBF

49. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 2.2 – FFA/PNA Data Support2011 Work Plan • Continuation of standing commitments, including … • Papers for Annual US MLT Treaty consultation (March 2011) • Provision of catch/effort data with CES (quarterly basis) • CES training for FFA staff (Honiara, February 2011) • Continued data support for FFA projects/working groups • LL and PS VDS, MOW, TVM, SC-SPTBF • Reconciliation of VMS and logsheet data • Investigate the potential use and support of TUBs (observer database) at FFA – …mutual benefits … • Enhanced contribution to FFA in MCS/IUU through the DEVFISH2 position

50. OFP DATA MANAGEMENTRESULT 2.3 – National Data Management Data Support2010 Highlights • Database development • TUFMAN updated to version 6 • (MS SQL backend; comprehensive development) • TUBs (observer data management system) to version 2 • Database Installations/Distributions • Latest TUFMAN (v6) installed during visits to 8 countries during 2010 • TUBs installed in 2 countries during 2010 on a trial basis • Ongoing quarterly distribution of CES and Observer Trip View Systems • Regular ‘remote’ updates of all systems • Artisanal tuna fishery component developed in TUFMAN – TUFART • Tools to distribute data and provide remote support, e.g. • FILEZILLA and YOUSENDIT– facilitating the transfer of electronic data/scans over the internet • TEAMVIEWER– facilitating the remote support of in-country database systems